Pope Francis prepares Sept. 23 to get into a Fiat 500L as he leaves St. Mathews Cathedral in Washington, after a midday prayer service. One of the two Fiats used by Pope Francis during this visit to Philadelphia last year is going up for auction. The car will be up for bid as part of the Philadelphia Auto Show black tie gala on Jan. 29. Bids will be accepted in person and online. | AP

Philly auction set for Pope Francis Fiat

PHILADELPHIA – One of the two Fiats used by Pope Francis during his visit to Philadelphia last year is going up for auction.

The car will be up for bid as part of the Philadelphia Auto Show black-tie gala on Jan. 29. Bids will be accepted in person and online.

The Archdiocese of Philadelphia and auto show representatives made the announcement Wednesday.

They say the second black Fiat 500L used by Francis might also be auctioned.

Proceeds will go to select archdiocese ministries and The Children’s Hospital of Pennsylvania.

Francis got out of one of the black Fiats to bless a boy with cerebral palsy when he arrived in Philadelphia, kissing him on the forehead. He’s made a point of using modest cars to emphasize simplicity.